Last year, I posted about a mysterious radio signal that knocked hundreds of garage door openers out of commission in Ottawa, Canada. This week, radio signals emitted by Cheyenne Mountain Air Station, the Colorado headquarters of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, had the same effect on area garage door openers. The Air Force was testing the frequency for a homeland security first response communications system. From the Associated Press:
Capt. Tracy Giles of the 21st Space Wing said Air Force officials were trying to figure out how to resolve the problem of their signal overpowering garage door remotes.
"They have turned it off to be good neighbors," he said…
Technically, the Air Force has the right to the frequency, which it began using nearly three years ago at some bases. Signals have previously interfered with garage doors near bases in Florida, Maryland and Pennsylvania.
In general, effects from the transmissions would be felt only within 10 miles, but the Colorado Springs signal is beamed from atop 6,184-foot Cheyenne Mountain, which likely extends the range.
